Rooney refuses to quit

ENGLAND are already looking for a new manager after their nightmare in Nice, but captain Wayne Rooney has no plans to walk away.

Roy Hodgson fell on his sword after England were humiliated in the first knockout round of Euro 2016, going down 2-1 to a history-making Iceland side who arrived as major underdogs.

SPECULATION

There had been some light speculation that Rooney could contemplate his own future if his side were unsuccessful in France, but he cooled any such talk within moments of the final whistle.

Having just equalled David Beckham's outfield caps record of 115, and scored his 53rd international goal from the penalty spot, Rooney went out on a limb by telling fans there were still reasons to be optimistic about the future.

And, if Hodgson's eventual successor is willing, the 30-year-old wants to be part of it.

"I said before the tournament and I've been asked many times but I'm proud to play for England and I'll see who the next manager is and, if selected, I'm definitely available to play," said Manchester United star Rooney.

"It is hard to see it right now, but the future is bright.

"It will take a bit of time I'm sure but we have to try to dust it off as quick as we can and try to move on.

"It is a really hard one to take, it is an embarrassing result.

"We know we are a better team.

"Whoever the new manager is, it is the job for him to recognise and try to see where we need to improve."

Rooney is a veteran of England's tournament traumas, having tasted different brands of defeat in 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012 and 2014 - and a failure to qualify under Steve McClaren for Euro 2008.

ADVICE

That marks Rooney out from most of his younger team-mates, for whom he had advice on how to deal with the fall-out.

"I think they just need to keep their heads down," he said.

"It will hurt for a while of course, the players understand that.

"You have to bounce back.

"That is your job, but each player is different, some might take a little longer.

"We are all in it together and we all have to share that responsibility."